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Home > Healthy You > Healthy You Magazine > Protecting Your Health > To Your Health

To Your Health

To Your Health, May 2005#1 in Heart Surgery, Again

Of all the Pennsylvania hospitals performing heart bypass surgery, Lehigh Valley Hospital has the best patient results, according to the latest statewide report. It was the only hospital ranked “lower than expected” in all four categories: patients who died in the hospital, patients who died within 30 days of surgery, patients who had to be readmitted to the hospital within a week, and readmissions within 30 days.

Leg Pain? Sciatica?

If you (or someone you care about) suffers from these, you may be eligible to take part in a clinical trial for a new drug. Participants must be age 18-55, with leg pain radiating to or below the knee. For other eligibility requirements or to learn more, call 610-402-CARE.

Vitamin E Update

Spooked by the latest news about vitamin E? Don’t be. While we’ve learned that too much may be harmful, this vitamin is still vital to good health.

Foods Rich in Vitamin E

  • Wheat germ and wheat germ oil
  • Almonds, hazelnuts
  • Sunflower and soybean oil
  • Peanut butter
  • Leafy green vegetables

For a complete list including amounts of vitamin E in each item, click here.


As a potent antioxidant, vitamin E protects your body from free radicals, harmful molecules that can damage cells. Studies show that taking vitamin E may boost healing and help prevent heart disease, prostate and breast
cancers, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cataracts and macular degeneration. (As for vitamin E creams to treat cuts and prevent scars, they haven’t been proven beneficial.)

Various sources recommend 22.5 international units (IUs) of vitamin E daily, and food is the ideal source (see list, above right). You’re probably getting enough if you eat a balanced diet including green leafy vegetables,
fruits, good fats and grains.

If your diet is lacking in those areas, consider a supplement. A typical multivitamin contains 30-60 IUs, and some doctors recommend a 200-IU vitamin E supplement. It’s probably wise not to take more. A recent study suggests that 400 IUs or more of vitamin E daily can raise the risk for premature death.

Thanks to cardiologist Donald Belmont, M.D., registered pharmacist Michael Columbus and registered dietitian Brenda Kull, all of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, for their expertise.
This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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May June 2005

Eating Healthy
Staying Fit
Caring for Mind and Body
Just for Women
Just for Men
Raising a Family
Heart of Healthy You
Protecting Your Health
Coping with Illness
Aging Well
Keeping Up to Date
    Weight Control





      hon cod ©2008 Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
      LVH Info Line: 610-402-CARE
      Cedar Crest & I-78, P.O. Box 689, Allentown, PA 18105-1556

      Lehigh Valley Hospital has campuses in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pa. and serves the Pennsylvania communities of Easton, Doylestown, Quakertown, Hazelton, Lehighton, Perkasie, Pottstown, Pottsville, Reading, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, Stroudsburg, and the Poconos and also Phillipsburg and Flemington, N.J., and western New Jersey. You don't have to travel to Philadelphia or New York for quality health care.

      		 
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